Computer science scholars, including Director of Information and Communication Technology at Lagos State University, Prof. Toyin Enikuomehin, and Prof. Olumide Obe of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Computer Science Department, has cautioned that the introduction of a cybersecurity levy will have significant implications for education costs in Nigeria.
The Central Bank of Nigeria issued a directive on May 6 instructing deposit money banks to implement a 0.5 percent cybersecurity levy on electronic transactions, following the Cybercrime Act 2024 as amended.
However, President Bola Tinubu has reportedly ordered a review of the policy following concerns.
Enikuomehin in an interview with The PUNCH expressed concern that the levy could lead to higher school fees, placing additional financial strain on parents who were already struggling.
He noted that educational institutions may pass on the levy’s costs to parents, potentially forcing some families to withdraw their children from school or seek more affordable alternatives.
“Parents who are already struggling to pay high school fees may face additional financial strain due to the cybersecurity levy. This can lead to difficulties in paying fees on time or even force some parents to withdraw their children from school.
“Educational institutions might pass on the cost of the cyber security levy to parents through increased school fees, exacerbating the financial burden on families.
The additional financial burden might discourage parents from investing in their children’s education, potentially leading to reduced enrollment rates or a shift to more affordable, but potentially lower-quality, educational options,” he said.
He added that the cybersecurity levy could widen the gap in access to quality education, as wealthier families may be better equipped to absorb the additional costs, while disadvantaged families may struggle to keep up.
Obe echoed these sentiments, warning that the levy could exacerbate inequalities in access to quality education.
He cautioned that vulnerable populations may be disproportionately affected, leading to decreased enrollment rates and widening the digital divide.
Suggestions.
To mitigate these impacts, Obe proposed exempting educational institutions from the levy or providing subsidies to alleviate the financial burden on parents.
“The government can consider exempting educational institutions from the levy or offering subsidies.
“Implementing measures to ensure the levy doesn’t disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Investing the generated revenue in initiatives that benefit the education sector, such as digital literacy programs and cybersecurity awareness campaigns. Encouraging public-private partnerships to support educational initiatives and share the financial burden. By carefully considering these factors, the government can minimize the negative impacts and ensure the cybersecurity levy supports the growth and development of Nigeria’s educational sector,” he added.
Also, Enikuomehin maintained that policymakers must consider the potential impact on education and explore measures to mitigate the effects on parents, schools, and students, such as providing exemptions or subsidies for low-income families.
“Implementing measures to ensure efficient allocation of resources, offering support for schools to absorb the additional costs, encouraging public-private partnerships to enhance cyber security in education. By carefully considering these factors, Nigeria can work towards ensuring the cybersecurity levy does not compromise the quality and accessibility of education for its citizens,” he suggested.
Acting Director ICT, McPherson University, Ogun State, Dr Kayode Oladapo, also maintained that “Policymakers and educational institutions must consider these potential impacts and strive to balance cybersecurity needs with the affordability of education. Instead of introducing the levy, the federal government should focus on reshaping the cybersecurity landscape by promoting a safe digital ecosystem and fostering cybersecurity awareness among stakeholders.”
